Export Chrome Browser Data to a New Browser

Switching to a new browser doesn’t mean losing your bookmarks, passwords, history, or saved autofill data. This guide walks you through exporting your data from Google Chrome and importing it into another browser like Firefox, Edge, or Brave. You’ll need your Chrome profile accessible and the target browser installed.

What You’ll Need

Access to Google Chrome on your current computer.
The new browser installed (e.g., Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera).
Enough free disk space for the exported HTML file (usually under 1 MB).
If you use Chrome Sync, ensure you’re signed in to Chrome to capture all synced data.

Step-by-Step

Open Chrome’s Bookmarks Manager. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner, hover over “Bookmarks and lists,” and select “Bookmark manager.” Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+O (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option+B (Mac).
Export bookmarks as HTML. In the Bookmark manager, click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the blue toolbar, then choose “Export bookmarks.” Pick a location (e.g., Desktop) and save the file as bookmarks.html.
Export passwords (optional). Go to Chrome Settings by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting “Settings.” Scroll to “Autofill” and click “Password Manager.” Click the three-dot menu next to “Saved Passwords” and select “Export passwords.” Confirm, and save the CSV file. Note: Chrome will warn you that passwords are visible in the file; store it securely.
Export autofill data (optional). In Settings, under “Autofill,” click “Addresses and more.” There isn’t a native export button, but you can manually copy entries or use a third-party extension. For most users, skipping this is fine because many browsers import addresses from the HTML bookmark file only if they contain that data (they usually don’t).
Export history (optional). Chrome does not offer a direct history export. However, you can use the History page (Ctrl+H) and manually copy URLs, or rely on the new browser’s import feature to pull history directly from Chrome if it supports it (like Edge or Firefox).
Import into the new browser. Open your new browser. For example, in Firefox: click the library icon (bookshelf) → “Import and Backup” → “Import Data from Another Browser.” Select Chrome and choose what to import (bookmarks, history, passwords). For Edge: go to Settings → “Profiles” → “Import browser data.” For Brave: Settings → “Sync” → “Import Bookmarks and Settings.” If your new browser doesn’t detect Chrome, use the HTML file: look for “Import Bookmarks from HTML” in the bookmarks manager of the new browser.
Import passwords from CSV (if exported). Most browsers allow importing passwords from a CSV file. In Firefox: Settings → “Privacy & Security” → “Saved Logins” → “Import from File.” In Edge: Settings → “Profiles” → “Passwords” → “Import.” Follow the prompts to select the CSV.
Verify the transfer. After import, check that your bookmarks appear in the correct folders, passwords are accessible, and history is searchable. If something is missing, revisit the import steps or use the HTML file for bookmarks.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to export passwords separately. Bookmarks export doesn’t include passwords; you must export them separately as a CSV.
Exporting bookmarks to a location you can’t find. Always save to Desktop or Documents to easily locate the file.
Overwriting existing bookmarks. When importing, some browsers ask to merge or replace. Choose “Merge” to avoid losing current bookmarks in the new browser.
Ignoring browser-specific import tools. Many browsers have a direct import from Chrome option that pulls everything at once; using the HTML file manually may miss passwords and history.
Not closing Chrome during import. Some browsers (like Firefox) may have trouble reading Chrome’s data if Chrome is running. Close Chrome completely before importing.

Tips

Use Chrome Sync before exporting. If you have multiple devices, ensure Chrome is synced to your Google account so the export includes all your data from other devices.
Keep the HTML file as a backup. Even after importing, store the bookmarks.html file in a safe place. It’s a simple, portable backup.
Clean up your bookmarks before exporting. Remove duplicates and dead links to make the import cleaner.
Export passwords only on your own computer. Since the CSV is plain text, anyone with access to it can see your passwords. Delete it after a successful import.
Check for extensions. Browser extensions don’t transfer. You’ll need to reinstall them manually in the new browser.

Troubleshooting

Import option is grayed out. Make sure Chrome is closed. If it still doesn’t work, restart both browsers and try again. Alternatively, use the HTML file for bookmarks.
Passwords don’t import. Some browsers require you to set a master password or may block CSV import due to security settings. Check the browser’s password settings and try importing again. Ensure the CSV is in the correct format (columns: name, URL, username, password).
Bookmarks appear in a folder called “Imported.” That’s normal. You can move them to your desired location by dragging and dropping in the bookmarks manager.
History didn’t import. Not all browsers can import Chrome history directly. Try using a third-party tool like History Export extension, or manually copy important URLs.
Chrome says “Export failed.” This can happen if Chrome is running with elevated permissions or if the destination path is restricted. Try saving to a different folder (e.g., Desktop) or run Chrome as administrator (Windows).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my extensions transfer to the new browser?

No, extensions are not included in the export. You’ll need to install them manually from the new browser’s extension store.

Can I export my Chrome history?

Chrome doesn’t have a built-in history export. However, many browsers (like Firefox and Edge) can import history directly from Chrome during the import process. If not, you can use a bookmarklet or extension to save history as HTML.

Is the exported passwords file safe?

The CSV file is unencrypted, so anyone with access to it can read your passwords. Store it securely and delete it after importing.

Do I need to export bookmarks if I use Chrome Sync?

No, but it’s a good backup. If you’re moving to a browser that supports Chrome Sync (like Brave), you can sign in and sync directly. Otherwise, export is necessary.

Can I import my Chrome data on a different operating system?

Yes, the HTML and CSV files are platform-independent. You can copy them to another computer and import them into the new browser there.

What if my new browser doesn’t have an import option?

Most modern browsers do. Check the browser’s help documentation for “Import bookmarks” or “Import data.” If not, you can manually add bookmarks by opening the HTML file in a browser and dragging links to your bookmark bar.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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